Afghan women start small business, aid in COIN operations
 By Staff Sgt. Rebecca Petrie , 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
  
 ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan  (October 23, 2011) — Members of the Virginia Army National  Guard’s 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Joint Sustainment Command –  Afghanistan, and Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul conducted a foot  patrol through the Qalat bazaar Oct. 19 to visit a compound where two  local women have started an almond and raisin-cleaning business with  funds received from a small-business grant. The Combined Team Zabul Female Engagement Team worked with Fatima and  Bibi Hawa to get the project started. They returned to conduct a quality  assessment of the business and to help iron out some wrinkles. The  establishment of the business is a small victory for the CTZ FET. “We are giving someone an opportunity to create an environment, led by  women, where women can be employed to earn a sensible living,” said  Capt. Iajaira Perez, a soldier from Laredo, Texas, and the CTZ FET  officer in charge. “Projects like this allow women to work together to  make small changes within their communities.” As one of the more conservative regions in the country, Zabul province  has been slow to recognize the positive contributions women have the  potential to bring to the community. Through the use of small-business  grants, the local government and coalition forces are working together  to change that dogma. “The true assessment of the value gained through this investment will  continue to be realized for years to come,” said Lt. Col. Joel Jeffers, a  civil affairs officer from Anniston, Ala., assigned to the 4th  Expeditionary Sustainment Command serving in Kandahar. “This type of  investment empowers those normally oppressed to realize a dream and  expand their own visions, and break the norm.” The tolerance level will rise with the number of women who enter the workforce. “This is a perfect way to establish women within the corporate structure  of Qalat,” Jeffers said. “Giving grants to women that push the norm and  empower women to become self-sufficient as a provider not only assists  the family by producing another income, but provides a new level of respect and lets the town know that  women can still be religious, handle a family and gradually begin to  change minds as to the overall status of women.” Not only do these small businesses help the women, but they also aid coalition forces with counterinsurgency operations. “These businesses are COIN in action,” said Jeffers. “They are locally  owned and operated, employ local workers and provide a continuing means  of employment which may keep some of the local population from assisting  the insurgents for money, and spur them to expel any insurgents that  could be disrupting their livelihood.” The idea is to create jobs for the locals so they don’t have to turn to  the insurgents for their survival, but with so many widows and wives  with incapacitated husbands in the area, it’s hard for women to find  work. “I would love to see more women-owned and run businesses such as a women’s clothing store, bakery and restaurants,” said Perez. The CTZ FET is planning a women’s shura to discuss future business opportunities. Photo by Staff Sgt. Rebecca Petrie